Hitter of the Night: Randal Grichuk, OF, Cardinals (Memphis, AAA): 2-3, 2 R, 2 HR, 2 BB, K.
Perhaps it’s the taste of the big-league lifestyle, or perhaps it’s just that Triple-A pitching doesn’t look so formidable after you’ve seen its major-league counterpart, but Grichuk is now hitting .458 since being sent down in an attempt not to be passed on the Cardinals organizational depth chart by Oscar Taveras and Stephen Piscotty.

Pitcher of the Night: Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, Red Sox (Pawtucket, AAA): 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, BB, 5 K.
Ranaudo still battles inconsistency from start to start, but he’s close to what he’s going to be at this point, which is a guy who can dominate on any given night but who also tosses out some clunkers and ultimately settles in as a mid-rotation type. He’s ready if the Red Sox need him for a spot start.

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If these players are on your league's waiver wire, they might be worth a look, depending on the format in which you play.

Welcome back to our weekly walk through some of the players who may want to keep an extra eye on in your leagues. Mike and I will be tackling this topic on Thursdays again and focusing on a singular hitter and pitcher in four of the more popular formats: shallow mixed, deep mixed, NL-only and AL-only. These are certainly not the only players who are worth pickups, but it gives us a nice opportunity to write about players we have close tabs on in our leagues.

Examining a handful of players who might pique your interest in deep leagues.

The names aren’t as sad this week, as I get to talk about three young players and Gavin Floyd. You can’t win ‘em all, but things are looking up!

Gavin Floyd, SP, Braves
Remember when the Braves weren’t going to have enough pitching to compete after Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy were lost for the season? Welp... here we are at April’s end, and now we’re wondering where Floyd—a savvy offseason pickup by GM Frank Wren—is going to fit in a crowded rotation once he’s healthy. Floyd is currently on a rehab assignment in High-A, and could be ready for the majors as soon as early-to-mid May.

Looking for a boost at the plate, the Cardinals turn to the prospect they acquired from the Angels for David Freese.

The Situation: With the Cardinals offense continuing to struggle, posting just a .242 batting average to date, the club made some moves looking for a spark. Calling up Greg Garcia and Randal Grichuk could give the Cardinals the boost they need to get their offense rolling in support of a pitching staff that has posted a cumulative 2.76 ERA through the season’s first 26 games.

Background: Possibly known better for being the player the Angels took one pick before popping Mike Trout, Grichuk was a legitimate first-round selection in his own right. After raking in the Arizona League in 2009 and 2010, Grichuk kept right on hitting after a promotion to Low-A Cedar Rapids, posting a .292 average in 52 games during his first full-season experience. Grichuk battled injuries in 2011, and then put up a California League-bolstered .298/.335/.488 line in 135 games, as he regained his prospect stock in 2012. The 2013 season saw Grichuk struggle at times, as he garnered his first exposure to higher-level pitching. In the end, Grichuk managed to pop 22 home runs and rip 27 doubles en route to a .780 OPS with Double-A Arkansas. An off-season trade sent Grichuk to the Cardinals in exchange for third baseman David Freese, and in his first 21 Triple-A games, Grichuk has hit .310 with eight doubles and three home runs.